New York Offenses Against the Right to Privacy
N.Y. Penal Law §§ 250.00, et seq.
CITATION:
The Laws of New York Consolidated Laws of New York
CHAPTER 40 - Penal
PART 3 - Specific Offenses
TITLE N - Offenses Against Public Order, Public Sensibilities, and the Right to Privacy
ARTICLE 250 - Offenses Against the Right to Privacy
Sections
250.00 Eavesdropping
250.05 Eavesdropping
250.10 Possession of eavesdropping devices
250.15 Failure to report wiretapping
250.20 Divulging an eavesdropping warrant
250.25 Tampering with private communications
250.30 Unlawfully obtaining communications information
250.35 Failing to report criminal communications
250.40 Unlawful surveillance
250.45 Unlawful surveillance in the second degree
250.50 Unlawful surveillance in the first degree
250.55 Dissemination of an unlawful surveillance image in the second degree
250.60 Dissemination of an unlawful surveillance image in the first degree
250.65 Additional provisions
250.70 Unlawful dissemination of a personal image
250.71 Unlawful dissemination of a personal image
250.72 Unlawful dissemination of a personal image in the first degree
Penal Law Section 250.00 –Eavesdropping definitions of terms
The following definitions are applicable to this article:
1. “Wiretapping” means the intentional overhearing or recording of a telephonic or telegraphic communication by a person other than a sender or receiver thereof, without the consent of either the sender or receiver, by means of any instrument, device or equipment. The normal operation of a telephone or telegraph corporation and the normal use of the services and facilities furnished by such corporation pursuant to its tariffs or necessary to protect the rights or property of said corporation shall not be deemed “wiretapping.”
2. “Mechanical overhearing of a conversation” means the intentional overhearing or recording of a conversation or discussion, without the consent of at least one party thereto, by a person not present thereat, by means of any instrument, device or equipment.
3. “Telephonic communication” means any aural transfer made in whole or in part through the use of facilities for the transmission of communications by the aid of wire, cable or other like connection between the point of origin and the point of reception (including the use of such connection in a switching station) furnished or operated by any person engaged in providing or operating such facilities for the transmission of communications and such term includes any electronic storage of such communications.
4. “Aural transfer” means a transfer containing the human voice at any point between and including the point of origin and the point of reception.
5. “Electronic communication” means any transfer of signs, signals, writing, images, sounds, data, or intelligence of any nature transmitted in whole or in part by a wire, radio, electromagnetic, photoelectronic or photo-optical system, but does not include:
(a) any telephonic or telegraphic communication; or
(b) any communication made through a tone only paging device; or
(c) any communication made through a tracking device consisting of an electronic or mechanical device which permits the tracking of the movement of a person or object; or
(d) any communication that is disseminated by the sender through a method of transmission that is configured so that such communication is readily accessible to the general public.
6. “Intercepting or accessing of an electronic communication” and “intentionally intercepted or accessed” mean the intentional acquiring, receiving, collecting, overhearing, or recording of an electronic communication, without the consent of the sender or intended receiver thereof, by means of any instrument, device or equipment, except when used by a telephone company in the ordinary course of its business or when necessary to protect the rights or property of such company.
7. “Electronic communication service” means any service which provides to users thereof the ability to send or receive wire or electronic communications.
8. “Unlawfully” means not specifically authorized pursuant to article seven hundred or seven hundred five of the criminal procedure law for the purposes of this section and sections 250.05, 250.10, 250.15, 250.20, 250.25, 250.30 and 250.35 of this article.
Source: Section 250.00 — Eavesdropping; definitions of terms, https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/laws/PEN/250.00 (updated Sep. 22, 2014; accessed Jan. 13, 2024).
Penal Law Section 250.05 -Eavesdropping
A person is guilty of eavesdropping when he unlawfully engages in wiretapping, mechanical overhearing of a conversation, or intercepting or accessing of an electronic communication. Eavesdropping is a class E felony.
Source: Section 250.05 — Eavesdropping, https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/laws/PEN/250.05 (updated Sep. 22, 2014; accessed Jan. 13, 2024).
Penal Law Section 250.10 -Possession of eavesdropping devices
A person is guilty of possession of eavesdropping devices when, under circumstances evincing an intent to use or to permit the same to be used in violation of section 250.05, he possesses any instrument, device or equipment designed for, adapted to or commonly used in wiretapping or mechanical overhearing of a conversation. Possession of eavesdropping devices is a class A misdemeanor.
Source: Section 250.10 — Possession of eavesdropping devices, https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/laws/PEN/250.10 (updated Sep. 22, 2014; accessed Jan. 13, 2024).
Penal Law Section 250.15 -Failure to report wiretapping
A telephone or telegraph corporation is guilty of failure to report wiretapping when, having knowledge of the occurrence of unlawful wiretapping, it does not report such matter to an appropriate law enforcement officer or agency. Failure to report wiretapping is a class B misdemeanor.
Source: Section 250.15 — Failure to report wiretapping, https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/laws/PEN/250.15 (updated Sep. 22, 2014; accessed Jan. 13, 2024).
Penal Law Section 250.20 -Divulging an eavesdropping warrant
A person is guilty of divulging an eavesdropping warrant when, possessing information concerning the existence or content of an eavesdropping warrant issued pursuant to article seven hundred of the criminal procedure law, or concerning any circumstances attending an application for such a warrant, he discloses such information to another person; except that such disclosure is not criminal or unlawful when permitted by section 700.65 of the criminal procedure law or when made to a state or federal agency specifically authorized by law to receive reports concerning eavesdropping warrants, or when made in a legal proceeding, or to a law enforcement officer or agency connected with the application for such warrant, or to a legislative committee or temporary state commission, or to the telephone or telegraph corporation whose facilities are involved, or to any entity operating an electronic communications service whose facilities are involved. Divulging an eavesdropping warrant is a class A misdemeanor.
Source: Section 250.20 — Divulging an eavesdropping warrant, https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/laws/PEN/250.20 (updated Sep. 22, 2014; accessed Jan. 13, 2024).
Penal Law Section 250.25 -Tampering with private communications
A person is guilty of tampering with private communications when:
1. Knowing that he does not have the consent of the sender or receiver, he opens or reads a sealed letter or other sealed private communication; or
2. Knowing that a sealed letter or other sealed private communication has been opened or read in violation of subdivision one of this section, he divulges without the consent of the sender or receiver, the contents of such letter or communication, in whole or in part, or a resume of any portion of the contents thereof; or
3. Knowing that he does not have the consent of the sender or receiver, he obtains or attempts to obtain from an employee, officer or representative of a telephone or telegraph corporation, by connivance, deception, intimidation or in any other manner, information with respect to the contents or nature thereof of a telephonic or telegraphic communication; except that the provisions of this subdivision do not apply to a law enforcement officer who obtains information from a telephone or telegraph corporation pursuant to section 250.35; or
4. Knowing that he does not have the consent of the sender or receiver, and being an employee, officer or representative of a telephone or telegraph corporation, he knowingly divulges to another person the contents or nature thereof of a telephonic or telegraphic communication; except that the provisions of this subdivision do not apply to such person when he acts pursuant to section 250.35. Tampering with private communications is a class B misdemeanor.
Source: Section 250.25 — Tampering with private communications, https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/laws/PEN/250.25 (updated Sep. 22, 2014; accessed Jan. 13, 2024).
Penal Law Section 250.30 -Unlawfully obtaining communications information
A person is guilty of unlawfully obtaining communications information when, knowing that he does not have the authorization of a telephone or telegraph corporation, he obtains or attempts to obtain, by deception, stealth or in any other manner, from such corporation or from any employee, officer or representative thereof:
1. Information concerning identification or location of any wires, cables, lines, terminals or other apparatus used in furnishing telephone or telegraph service; or
2. Information concerning a record of any communication passing over telephone or telegraph lines of any such corporation. Unlawfully obtaining communications information is a class B misdemeanor.
Source: Section 250.30 — Unlawfully obtaining communications information, https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/laws/PEN/250.30 (updated Sep. 22, 2014; accessed Jan. 13, 2024).
Penal Law Section 250.35 -Failing to report criminal communications
1. It shall be the duty of a telephone or telegraph corporation, or an entity operating an electronic communications service, and of any employee, officer or representative thereof having knowledge that the facilities of such corporation or entity are being used to conduct any criminal business, traffic or transaction, to furnish or attempt to furnish to an appropriate law enforcement officer or agency all pertinent information within his possession relating to such matter, and to cooperate fully with any law enforcement officer or agency investigating such matter.
2. A person is guilty of failing to report criminal communications when he knowingly violates any duty prescribed in subdivision one of this section. Failing to report criminal communications is a class B misdemeanor.
Source: Section 250.35 — Failing to report criminal communications, https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/laws/PEN/250.35 (updated Sep. 22, 2014; accessed Jan. 13, 2024).
Penal Law Section 250.40 -Unlawful surveillance definitions
The following definitions shall apply to sections 250.45, 250.50, 250.55 and 250.60 of this article:
1. “Place and time when a person has a reasonable expectation of privacy” means a place and time when a reasonable person would believe that he or she could fully disrobe in privacy.
2. “Imaging device” means any mechanical, digital or electronic viewing device, camera, cellular phone or any other instrument capable of recording, storing or transmitting visual images that can be utilized to observe a person.
3. “Sexual or other intimate parts” means the human male or female genitals, pubic area or buttocks, or the female breast below the top of the nipple, and shall include such part or parts which are covered only by an undergarment.
4. “Broadcast” means electronically transmitting a visual image with the intent that it be viewed by a person.
5. “Disseminate” means to give, provide, lend, deliver, mail, send, forward, transfer or transmit, electronically or otherwise to another person.
6. “Publish” means to (a) disseminate, as defined in subdivision five of this section, with the intent that such image or images be disseminated to ten or more persons; or
(b) disseminate with the intent that such images be sold by another person; or
(c) post, present, display, exhibit, circulate, advertise or allows access, electronically or otherwise, so as to make an image or images available to the public; or
(d) disseminate with the intent that an image or images be posted, presented, displayed, exhibited, circulated, advertised or made accessible, electronically or otherwise and to make such image or images available to the public.
7. “Sell” means to disseminate to another person, as defined in subdivision five of this section, or to publish, as defined in subdivision six of this section, in exchange for something of value.
Source: Section 250.40 — Unlawful surveillance; definitions, https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/laws/PEN/250.40 (updated Sep. 22, 2014; accessed Jan. 13, 2024).
Penal Law Section 250.45 -Unlawful surveillance in the second degree
A person is guilty of unlawful surveillance in the second degree when:
1. For his or her own, or another person’s amusement, entertainment, or profit, or for the purpose of degrading or abusing a person, he or she intentionally uses or installs, or permits the utilization or installation of an imaging device to surreptitiously view, broadcast or record a person dressing or undressing or the sexual or other intimate parts of such person at a place and time when such person has a reasonable expectation of privacy, without such person’s knowledge or consent; or
2. For his or her own, or another person’s sexual arousal or sexual gratification, he or she intentionally uses or installs, or permits the utilization or installation of an imaging device to surreptitiously view, broadcast or record a person dressing or undressing or the sexual or other intimate parts of such person at a place and time when such person has a reasonable expectation of privacy, without such person’s knowledge or consent; or
3.(a) For no legitimate purpose, he or she intentionally uses or installs, or permits the utilization or installation of an imaging device to surreptitiously view, broadcast or record a person in a bedroom, changing room, fitting room, restroom, toilet, bathroom, washroom, shower or any room assigned to guests or patrons in a motel, hotel or inn, without such person’s knowledge or consent.
(b) For the purposes of this subdivision, when a person uses or installs, or permits the utilization or installation of an imaging device in a bedroom, changing room, fitting room, restroom, toilet, bathroom, washroom, shower or any room assigned to guests or patrons in a hotel, motel or inn, there is a rebuttable presumption that such person did so for no legitimate purpose; or
4. Without the knowledge or consent of a person, he or she intentionally uses or installs, or permits the utilization or installation of an imaging device to surreptitiously view, broadcast or record, under the clothing being worn by such person, the sexual or other intimate parts of such person; or
5. For his or her own, or another individual’s amusement, entertainment, profit, sexual arousal or gratification, or for the purpose of degrading or abusing a person, the actor intentionally uses or installs or permits the utilization or installation of an imaging device to surreptitiously view, broadcast, or record such person in an identifiable manner:
(a) engaging in sexual conduct, as defined in subdivision ten of section 130.00 of this part;
(b) in the same image with the sexual or intimate part of any other person; and
(c) at a place and time when such person has a reasonable expectation of privacy, without such person’s knowledge or consent. Unlawful surveillance in the second degree is a class E felony.
Source: Section 250.45 — Unlawful surveillance in the second degree, https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/laws/PEN/250.45 (updated Nov. 7, 2014; accessed Jan. 13, 2024).
Penal Law Section 250.50 -Unlawful surveillance in the first degree
A person is guilty of unlawful surveillance in the first degree when he or she commits the crime of unlawful surveillance in the second degree and has been previously convicted within the past ten years of unlawful surveillance in the first or second degree. Unlawful surveillance in the first degree is a class D felony.
Source: Section 250.50 — Unlawful surveillance in the first degree, https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/laws/PEN/250.50 (updated Sep. 22, 2014; accessed Jan. 13, 2024).
Penal Law Section 250.55 -Dissemination of an unlawful surveillance image in the second degree
A person is guilty of dissemination of an unlawful surveillance image in the second degree when he or she, with knowledge of the unlawful conduct by which an image or images of the sexual or other intimate parts of another person or persons were obtained and such unlawful conduct would satisfy the essential elements of the crime of unlawful surveillance in the first or second degree, as defined, respectively, in section 250.50 or 250.45 of this article, intentionally disseminates such image or images. Dissemination of an unlawful surveillance image in the second degree is a class A misdemeanor.
Source: Section 250.55 — Dissemination of an unlawful surveillance image in the second degree, https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/laws/PEN/250.55 (updated Nov. 7, 2014; accessed Jan. 13, 2024).
Penal Law Section 250.60 -Dissemination of an unlawful surveillance image in the first degree
A person is guilty of dissemination of an unlawful surveillance image in the first degree when:
1. He or she, with knowledge of the unlawful conduct by which an image or images of the sexual or other intimate parts of another person or persons were obtained and such unlawful conduct would satisfy the essential elements of the crime of unlawful surveillance in the first or second degree, as defined, respectively, in section 250.50 or 250.45 of this article, sells or publishes such image or images; or
2. Having created a surveillance image in violation of section 250.45 or 250.50 of this article, or in violation of the law in any other jurisdiction which includes all of the essential elements of either such crime, or having acted as an accomplice to such crime, or acting as an agent to the person who committed such crime, he or she intentionally disseminates such unlawfully created image; or
3. He or she commits the crime of dissemination of an unlawful surveillance image in the second degree and has been previously convicted within the past ten years of dissemination of an unlawful surveillance image in the first or second degree. Dissemination of an unlawful surveillance image in the first degree is a class E felony.
Source: Section 250.60 — Dissemination of an unlawful surveillance image in the first degree, https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/laws/PEN/250.60 (updated Nov. 7, 2014; accessed Jan. 13, 2024).
Penal Law Section 250.65 -Additional provisions
1. The provisions of sections 250.45, 250.50, 250.55 and 250.60 of this article do not apply with respect to any:
(a) law enforcement personnel engaged in the conduct of their authorized duties;
(b) security system wherein a written notice is conspicuously posted on the premises stating that a video surveillance system has been installed for the purpose of security; or
(c)video surveillance devices installed in such a manner that their presence is clearly and immediately obvious.
2. With respect to sections 250.55 and 250.60 of this article, the provisions of subdivision two of section 235.15 and subdivisions one and two of section 235.24 of this chapter shall apply.
Source: Section 250.65 — Additional provisions, https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/laws/PEN/250.65 (updated Sep. 22, 2014; accessed Jan. 13, 2024).
Penal Law Section 250.70 -Unlawful dissemination of a personal image definitions, application
1. The following definitions shall apply to section 250.71 of this article:
(a) “broadcast” means electronically transmitting a visual image with the intent that it be viewed by a person;
(b) “disseminate” means to give, provide, lend, deliver, mail, send, forward, transfer or transmit, electronically or otherwise to another person;
(c) “publish” means to:
(i) disseminate, as defined in paragraph (b) of this subdivision, with the intent that such image or images be disseminated to ten or more persons;
(ii) disseminate with the intent that such images be sold by another person;
(iii) post, present, display, exhibit, circulate, advertise or allows access, electronically or otherwise, so as to make an image or images available to the public; or
(iv) disseminate with the intent that an image or images be posted, presented, displayed, exhibited, circulated, advertised or made accessible, electronically or otherwise and to make such image or images available to the public;
(d) “family” means a parent or guardian, sibling, spouse, or child of a person depicted in an image disseminated in violation of section 250.71 of this article.
(e) “social media platform” means a website, online or mobile application, or online service that is designed primarily to enable a user to generate or share content that can be viewed by other users on the platform or to interact with other user-generated content on such platform. “Social media platform” does not include a website, online or mobile application, or online service that is designed primarily to enable a user to access content on the platform that is not user-generated and is preselected or organized by the provider; or a website, online or mobile application, or online service that includes any chat, comment, or other interactive functionality that is incidental to the provision of such website, application, or service.
2. The following provisions shall apply to section 250.71 of this article:
(a) The provisions of section 270.71 of this article shall not apply to the following:
(i) the reporting of suspected unlawful conduct to law enforcement;
(ii) the dissemination or publication of an image made in the course of official law enforcement duties, legal proceedings or criminal prosecution, or medical treatment; or
(iii) the dissemination or publication of an image made for a legitimate public discourse concerning local, national, or worldwide events or other matters of public concern or public interest or affecting the public welfare; any work of public interest, educational or newsworthy value, including comment, criticism, parody or satire, and works of entertainment, regardless of the degree of fictionalization; or an advertisement or commercial announcement for any of the foregoing works.
(b) Nothing in these sections shall be construed to limit, or to enlarge, the protections that 47 U.S.C. § 230 confers on an interactive computer service for content provided by another information content provider, as such terms are defined in 47 U.S.C. § 230.
3. With respect to section 250.71 of this article, the provisions of subdivision two of section 235.15 and subdivisions one and two of section 235.24 of this part shall apply.
Source: Section 250.70 — Unlawful dissemination of a personal image; definitions, application, https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/laws/PEN/250.70 (updated Mar. 10, 2023; accessed Jan. 13, 2024).
Penal Law Section 250.71 -Unlawful dissemination of a personal image
A person is guilty of unlawful dissemination of a personal image when, with the intent of degrading or abusing a person who has been the victim of a crime described in title H of this part, or otherwise causing harm to the emotional, financial or physical welfare of such victim or such victim’s family, the person intentionally:
1. (a) creates and disseminates or publishes a still or video image of such victim on a social media platform, without the victim’s consent, in a manner that has no or minimal cultural or social value;
(b) the victim is identifiable from the still or video image itself or from information displayed in connection with the still or video image;
(c) the victim suffered physical injury as a result of a sex offense as defined by article 130 (Sex Offenses), serious physical injury as a result of any non-sex offense, or death, and this injury or death is depicted in the image; and
(d) the actor committed, participated in the commission of, or conspired to commit the crime that resulted in such injury to such victim; or
2. acting as an agent of the actor who created an image in violation of subdivision one of this section, he or she knowingly disseminates or publishes such image. Unlawful dissemination of a personal image in the second degree is a class A misdemeanor.
Source: Section 250.71 — Unlawful dissemination of a personal image, https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/laws/PEN/250.71 (updated Mar. 10, 2023; accessed Jan. 13, 2024).
Penal Law Section 250.72 -Unlawful dissemination of a personal image in the first degree
A person is guilty of unlawful dissemination of a personal image in the first degree when he or she commits the offense of unlawful dissemination of a personal image in the second degree and:
1. he or she committed, participated in the commission of, or conspired to commit the crime that resulted in such injury to such victim; or
2. the victim suffered serious physical injury or death which is depicted in the unlawfully disseminated image. Unlawful dissemination of a personal image in the first degree is a class A misdemeanor.
Source: Section 250.72 — Unlawful dissemination of a personal image in the first degree, https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/laws/PEN/250.72 (updated Mar. 3, 2023; accessed Jan. 13, 2024).
For more information, see here: https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/laws/PEN/250.00
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